Swords (jian)

Jian (swords or straightswords) various lengths, thicknesses and materials (stainless steel or chrome-plated metal) The length of the blade of a sword depends on the distance between the wrist crease and the ear area with an arm almost stretched along the body. This is particularly the norm in modern wushu; traditional styles generally use a shorter length.

The longer the person in question, the less strict this rule applies: rule comes from Asia, where people are a bit shorter than the average European.

Blade lengths are indicated in centimeters from the point of the sword to the ricasso, or the point where the sword disappears into the blade.